In the Foreword, he calls us to reclaim “a more robust theology of dying” and to reexamine “the ways in which we relate to and care for the dying and the grieving among us.” McKelvey writes: He does so not in despair, but-as the Prayer Book puts it-“in sure and certain hope of the Resurrection.” Here, in volume two (also from Rabbit Room Press), McKelvey leans especially into the dark stuff. Or they may not: insomnia, work deadlines, news-induced anxiety.Īll these moments matter to us. But what about those in-between moments: quotidian, maybe, but no less significant? They may be joyful: feasting with friends, gardening, going on vacation. The confessions and collects, the Eucharistic prayers and the prayers of the people, they give voice to the longings of our hearts in simple, biblical, true language. On a weekly and daily basis, and for some of the biggest moments of life-weddings, funerals, baptisms-we Anglicans lean heavily on the Book of Common Prayer. Here’s my favorite thing about the original edition of Douglas Kaine McKelvey’s Every Moment Holy: the poetic yet earthy particularity of the liturgies. His work here is an encouragement to me, and I know it will support many over the years. In the meantime, as we face death and grief and loss that are with us until Christ returns, McKelvey has given us words to pray when we find no words.
However, the final section, "Liturgies for the Moment in Seasons of Grieving," includes many short prayers intended for memorization that are wonderful for centering one's thoughts on God's presence in suffering.Īs with the first volume, my complaint is: more! May a third volume commence, with a wider ecumenical reach. In the days of my suicidal ideation, I memorized and repeated Scripture and quotations that carried me through (shout out to Gerard Manley Hopkins, who Gets It™) and I would have used such a liturgy at that time. I really, really wish there was a liturgy here for that. There are two prayers for mourning suicide, but what's lacking is a prayer for those who are experiencing suicidal ideation/thoughts. I crave it now, as another officer-involved shooting traumatizes the community in which I live now. ("A Liturgy for Grieving a Death Due to Violence" may be helpful for mourning yet another shooting, but it is written for someone whose loved one has died a violent death.) I deeply craved a prayer like that last summer, when one of the shootings of an unarmed Black man took place in the city where I grew up.
While there are generalized prayers for the passing of a public figure, a national tragedy, and natural disaster, there isn't anything specific for racism. This book sorely lacked lament for racism in any form: personal, systemic, another national tragedy. Yet, again, I find Every Moment Holy lacking in perspectives outside whiteness. He also gives helpful notes for certain prayers (particularly those involving children) to tailor usage to specific situations. McKelvey consulted with many people who have walked through profound grief, who graciously offered feedback on the prayers. Broken relationships, especially, are covered in a few different ways. In my review of the first book, I wished for liturgies for "experiencing bitterness, for those who have been hurt by others, for broken relationships," and all of these are covered in different ways by this book. Ned Bustard's lovely illustrations are helpful for those who like visual supports in prayer, and I found many of them especially meaningful. The first volume was especially helpful in this. What's especially helpful here is that he writes liturgies responding to contemporary situations that our ancient liturgies could not specifically anticipate. McKelvey's goal is to supplement the rich resources we already have in formal liturgies. Some of them speak to my current situation: "Intercession for One Slowly Losing Function," "For a Time of Widespread Suffering." Others are ones I know I can turn to in the future: "To Begin a Family Gathering after a Loss," "To Welcome Another into My Grief." While volume I includes liturgies for rejoicing, volume II focuses on lament.
In the second volume of Every Moment Holy, McKelvey has again gifted the church with words for the darkest times of life, especially those dealing with death.
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